Preparing for your trip is an exciting phase. But it is also when you prepare your backpack or your suitcase that you find faced with hard choices. What to take, what to leave? Two words: indispensable travel accessories. Forget the rest and find out what we carry off with our luggage!
To travel well, travel light. No, you do not need three pairs of gloves, six hats, pens of each color, and half of your library. No, you do not need to pack double garments. Yes, you will find a shop where you can buy ten packs of tissues.
To motivate yourself to lighten your luggage, think about your travels: stairs to climb, buses, hotel changes, in short, think of all the times when you will have to lug your suitcase or your backpack during your travels. By drawing a line on each non-essential element, you lighten your back by a few grams. Gram per gram, it’s going fast! Bonus point: all the unoccupied space on the way leaves room for memories to bring back.
SELECT YOUR TRAVEL ACCESSORIES: MAKE A LIST!
The key to not clutter is to make a list. It’s up to you to build it intelligently and stick to it. This is definitely the best way to see clearly in his preparations, not to forget anything and curb his desires for “I take it just in case.” Forget it in case! Only the essentials matter. Not easy, we will say. Well, we give you a hand, because it’s also not about going on a trip with two t-shirts, a pair of flip flops and faith in a lucky star.
We have a list of essential accessories that we automatically put in our backpacks and that greatly facilitates our travels. We always favor the necessary and the practical aspect of the material that we carry, without forgetting the comfort. Yes, comfort too, it is essential! It is a question of choosing a material adapted to its needs and its purse. The smaller it is, the less expensive it is, the better! Here is the list of our 19 travel accessories to go everywhere.
1. A PASSPORT COVER
When traveling, you must protect your passport as the apple of your eye. It’s your identity, your right-hand, it’s you, all of it. If you do not want a stay at the Embassy of France (there is one?), Do not leave it at the mercy of the elements and protect it! It’s one of your essential accessories for traveling.
A passport holder will allow you to martyrize without risk of damaging it.
2. A TRAVEL BELT
Money belts are an ideal solution to avoid theft or the loss of your important papers and liquids. A seatbelt is ideal for storing your wallet or banknotes, in case you have changed before leaving. A very simple way to take off with peace of mind!
3. A TRAVEL POUCH
To slip in his backpack, the document pockets are very practical to carry photocopies of passport and identity card, air ticket, reservation printed, in short, all that is in paper and which could deteriorate in your bag. Lightweight, they take absolutely no place and owning is a non-negligible precaution. You are free to crumple your documents.
If you are, like us, the type to keep all the flyers, admission tickets, posters or postcards that you find on your way, these briefcases will be of real use to you. In addition to being on the list of essential travel accessories, briefcases are in our everyday bags, always ready to use.
4. A PHARMACY KIT
Be prepared to suffer all the ills that a traveler may encounter on his way: the simple headache due to jet lag in the classic tourista after an unusual cuisine. These are things that happen and having your own medicine is a safe and quick way to deal with these annoyances. Our first aid kit is composed of:
- a box of ibuprofren;
- a box of Doliprane;
- some sachets of Smecta or Immodium;
- antiseptic;
- dressings of several sizes, including anti-blister dressings.
- tiger balm for mosquito bites
Even your best shoes can betray you and a little light bulb of nothing can spoil the trip. An anti-bulb dressing and hop! It’s off again. Take your precautions, you will thank yourself later.
“It’s up to you to adapt your pharmacy according to your constitution. If, like me, you often get cold on a trip, add propolis lozenges to your luggage.
5. MICROFIBER BATH TOWELS
How so, you do not have one yet? These towels have revolutionized our travel habits. It’s time to leave behind those big fleece towels that take hours to dry and perfume your backpack with a sweet smell of moisture.
The quick-drying microfiber towel quickly dries (as their name suggests!) And, when folded, is super-compact and slips everywhere. Our favorites are at Decathlon, it’s up to you to choose the ones that suit you the most. There are several sizes and colors, to suit everyone’s tastes! A size ally and must-have on your wish list.
6. A PACK OF CHEWING GUM
Keep it handy, in your cabin bag or in your pocket. We all react differently to long trips by plane but if you tend to have earaches, take Émile chewing gum. You will be able to clear your ear in no time and it is always good to have something to chew on if you are a little distressed by the plane. We are team Freedent Mint here, free to choose your favorite perfume.
7. A TRAVEL DIARY AND A PEN
Delude your memory of all the work and write! You’ll thank yourself later and you’ll remember forever the great trip you’ve had. The key to stick to it is to establish a ritual: write a little every night, without going into details, without forcing yourself to use your finest prose. Opt for a notebook that you like and that will make you want to write regularly. Store it in a dedicated place where you’ll always be sure to get your hands on it.
We like to vary the pleasures, each destination his notebook, and this is a model from the shop Traveler’s Notebook that we present in the photo below. Their notebooks are made of genuine leather by a leather craftsman and quality is at the rendezvous. This model is called Adventurer and for the artist who is dormant in you, know that his pages are suitable for watercolor. It’s up to you to brighten your adventures with pretty sketches!
8. A READING LIGHT
This is an absolute must if you are a reader. Stop cluttering with books that weigh heavily on your back: a reading light is the travel accessory that will revolutionize your habits!
If too many readers are still reluctant to buy a reader and say they are strong advocates of the paper book, know that the reader reading experience is totally different of reading on a classic book. There is no question of replacing the paper by a machine. You simply will not read the same thing on both media and one is not likely to take over the other, if you are a book devourer. Yes, you will always buy as many (too) books, no, you will not lose the charming taste of the page that turns. Buying a reading light is no goodbye to the pleasure of traditional reading. On the contrary, it is an extension of this pleasure, even on the other side of the world.
When traveling or around the world, it’s practical who takes over and the reader has more than attractive arguments: 10, 50 or 100 pounds, keep your library at your fingertips, save weight and space. What more? We use a Kindle Paperwhite reading light for optimum reading comfort, long battery life and easy handling. You are free to turn to other brands, such as Kobo, which has also proven itself.
9. A TOOTHBRUSH AND A SMALL TRAVEL TOOTHPASTE
Once you’ve landed, you’ll be happy to cool off in the bathroom and brush your teeth. To do this, use travel toothbrushes, well protected in their case. These environmentally friendly bamboo toothbrushes are a good product, but a cheaper plastic version is just as effective. As for the small toothpaste, its small size allows you to easily slip it anywhere without being bothered by the quantity limits in cabin baggage.
10. A TRAVEL PILLOW AND A SLEEP MASK
If for you also sleeping in the plane is a test, you will surely find sleep with a good travel cushion to place around your neck and a mask of rest. You are spoiled for choice! You can opt for a cabbage version by adopting a fox-shaped neck pillow, for the “shape memory” version, which fits in your bag or a simple airbag.
We forget them too often next to the night mask and the inflatable choker, but earplugs or other earplugs can save your night when traveling by plane.If it’s not enough for you to sleep, you’ll be at least comfortable to watch all the movies on the plane (yes, even those subtitled in Hindi).
11. A TRAVEL TOILETRIES KIT
Shower gel, shampoo, micellar water, makeup bag: always carry your small bathroom with you. A small travel bag is an essential travel accessory to carry your products without exceeding the limit of 100 ml allowed in cabin baggage. To do this, get mini plastic bottles and bags eta.
As for checked baggage, there is no restriction but we advise you to use these small bottles (very practical) and to put them in waterproof bags to avoid catastrophes. Starting a trip with a bottle of shampoo spread in your clothes is far from an ideal start.
12. RECHARGEABLE USB HEADLAMP
This is an equipment that does not take place and that will be very useful if needed. We always have a headlamp in one of the pockets of our backpack, in case of power failure, for example. They can be common in Asia. A headlamp to charge by USB port will not let you ever fall!
Lovers of night hiking or light-painting will always keep their lamp at hand, as soon as night falls!
13. A TRAVEL ADAPTER
A universal adapter is a handy tool to draw a line on all your electrical outlet troubles abroad! There are now travel adapters that allow you to connect your devices wherever you go. An international adapter does all the work for you, provided you do not forget it. It is one of the essential accessories to leave peacefully abroad.
14. AN EXTERNAL BATTERY
At a time when even the best smartphones are unloading at high speed, external batteries become your best friends. You will be able to stay connected and available at any time (no more excuses to be quiet on the other side of the world!).
A good portable battery, such as the Aukey External Battery, allows you to charge your devices multiple times before being discharged. There are even solar heat batteries for real adventurers who do not cross electrical outlets on their way. It’s a little gadget, but it works!
15. HEADPHONES OR HEADPHONES
A pair of headphones or headphones is the best way to enjoy your music alone. For us, it is essential equipment to spend time traveling, on the plane, on the train, on the bus or listening to his music quietly in a dormitory, on a beach, in the middle of the virgin forest, in the top of a glacier …
We are strong advocates of foldable and wired headphones, for the simple reason that a BlueTooth headset needs to be recharged. Save yourself that extra trouble. Why the Sony brand? Because our helmet left at the end of the world and in all our wanderings without showing any sign of fatigue despite his age. It should also be added that the material of which the thread is made prevents it from making knots and twisting on itself. By the way!
16. A TRAVEL GUIDE
Lonely Planet, guide of the Routard, Evasion guide, Cartoville or other, there are a plethora of travel guides and everyone finds his account. You will always be of great help, if only to have access to a map or where to go for dinner. We prepare our travels by relying on travel blogs and a travel guide, to encompass as much information as possible.
Keep your guide handy, in an outside pocket, for example.
17. AN EMPTY INSULATED GOURD
A bit silly to pack empty insulated gourd in his backpack? Not that much. It will allow you to keep your water cool and avoid buying plastic bottles as much as possible. An ultra-light and reusable travel accessory for responsible travel!
By bringing you Micropur-type pellets, you can drink tap water wherever you are safe.
18. A SMALL BACKPACK IN CABIN BAGGAGE AND TSA PADLOCKS
To keep with you on the plane as hand luggage, this little backpack will allow you to keep your precious stuff at your fingertips: camera, laptop, tablet, wallet, etc. No question of swinging them in the hold! For added security, close your business with a TSA padlock, a code lock. To be placed on your luggage in the hold as well.
It’s up to you to choose the right range and the right dimensions. If, like us, you have photo equipment and a laptop 15 “, you can choose a printed backpack, very practical and inexpensive, or outright a superb backpack Manfrotto, to combine class and quality in all circumstances. Once your travel destination is reached, you can use this bag during your daily activities.
We make sure to take useful things on the go, light and compact to save space and weight in our suitcases. When traveling by plane to foreign countries, we leave the pesages, sleeping bag, sackcloth and Swiss army knife behind us.
19. A PROTECTIVE COVER FOR YOUR TRAVEL BAG OR YOUR CABIN BAG
Since the hold of an airplane is not a shiny palate, we recommend that you protect your bag with a suitable cover. A suitcase bag or waterproof backpack protection will also help protect your belongings from dust, rain or snow. A travel accessory is totally essential to keep on hand for each of your bags!
